Cause of death still pending in Guilford teen’s shooting

GUILFORD — The cause of death of a 15-year-old who died after suffering a gunshot wound Jan. 31 remains unspecified pending further investigation, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Guilford High School freshman Ethan Song and another teenage boy were found in a Seaside Avenue home to which police had been called that afternoon. Ethan had been shot and later died. No parents or other adults were at home at the time of the shooting, Chief of Police Jeffrey Hutchinson has said.

Police said in a news release Wednesday they have no evidence or information to suggest the teens were playing a version of Russian roulette or that the boys thought the gun was unloaded because there was no magazine in it. The Hartford Courant reported that law enforcement sources, who were not named but are familiar with the probe, said those elements were investigated.

In the release, police added that rumors surrounding the circumstances of Ethan’s death immediately circulated via social media and word of mouth.

“The Guilford Police Department is working closely with the State’s Attorney’s office and we are continuing to investigate whether any charges will be filed as a result of this tragic death,” the release said. “We will not be releasing any information regarding the second youth in the home at the time of Ethan’s death, nor will we be releasing any additional evidence or information related to this case as this is an active investigation.”

Photo: Derek Torrellas / For Hearst Connecticut Media

A candlelight vigil was held Friday for Guilford teen Ethan Song, who was died earlier this week after suffering a gunshot wound.

A candlelight vigil was held Friday for Guilford teen Ethan Song, who was died earlier this week after suffering a gunshot wound.

Photo: Derek Torrellas / For Hearst Connecticut Media

Cause of death still pending in Guilford teen’s shooting

On the day of the incident, Ethan was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, and police were notified shortly thereafter that he had died. The other boy was uninjured, officials said.

Guilford police requested the assistance of Connecticut State Police investigators to process evidence at the scene; Guilford police will continue to handle the investigation, officials stated.

Police said in the release the department is working closely with the state’s attorney’s office and is continuing to investigate whether any charges will be filed as a result of the death.

Police said this is a tragedy not only for the Song family but also for the family of the other juvenile involved and the community as a whole.

In bitter cold temperatures, hundreds huddled on the Green Friday night for a candlelight vigil to honor Ethan. Gathering near a half-staff American flag, Ethan’s family, friends and classmates recounted stories about a boy who loved to play sports, chess and video games.

Ethan’s family started a GoFundMe page, which has raised almost $100,000 in the past six days. The family said on the page that it is a memorial fund to honor the life of Ethan, with the money going to support causes in which he believed , such as animal rights, human rights and gun education.